San Diego News (BETA)

About 10 a.m. on a rainy April 8, 1965, 28-year-old Robert Anderson entered a pawnshop at the corner of Fifth Avenue and F Street in downtown San Diego and asked to see a rifle. Store manager Louis Richards, 61, handed the young man a Remington 30.06 and began writing up a bill of sale.

EL CAJON: Artists are being sought to beautify utility boxes in downtown El Cajon. The program to decorate utility boxes is being taken over by the El Cajon Community Development Corp., after the city's Arts & Culture Commission began the project several years ago.

CHULA VISTA — An Eastlake High School teacher discriminated against a student by excluding her from a dance performance because of her neurological disorder, the student's family alleges in a lawsuit.

Add playing in the sand to the long list of fun things that may be bad for your health. A new study says you risk getting an upset stomach and diarrhea if you dig into the granular stuff to fill toy pails, build sand castles or bury yourself. You're better off walking along the shore or swimming in the surf.

SAN DIEGO COURTS: A Tierrasanta resident severely beat her mother after the 60-year-old woman refused to take her surfing, a prosecutor told a Superior Court judge yesterday. Doctors say the victim has a 50 percent chance of survival, Deputy District Attorney Rick Clabby said.

The Pentagon released the name today of a 22-year-old Camp Pendleton-based Marine killed in combat this week in Afghanistan.

A San Diego biotechnology company is planning a local greenhouse and test facility to develop biofuels from algae, it was reported today.

A key committee of the University of California on Wednesday approved an emergency budget plan that would force most of the system's 180,000 employees to take pay cuts and unpaid leave to offset a steep drop in state funding.

It's been more than six years since the murder of Laci Peterson in the Bay Area. Her husband Scott - whose family lives here - is on death row for the crime. Now the Peterson family is asking for your help.

The federal government has granted $8.7 million to local law enforcement agencies in San Diego and San Mateo counties to help fight the flow of drugs across the border from Mexico.

Camp Pendleton has suffered its first combat fatality in Afghanistan since more than 1,000 Marines and sailors from the base were dispatched to the country's Helmand province as part of an Iraq-style surge two months ago.

DEL MAR ---- As the region's big utilities enter the home stretch of a $90 million restoration of the San Dieguito Lagoon, fish and birds are flocking to the coastal wetlands jewel in large numbers ---- and so are people.

ESCONDIDO ---- The City Council endorsed a plan Wednesday to make Grape Day Park a more bustling community nexus, but concerns about crime and homelessness dampened the council's optimism about the proposal.

SAN DIEGO ---- A recently retired educator from Valley Center has been tapped as the forewoman of the San Diego County Civil Grand Jury, a watchdog group tasked with looking into local governmental bodies and agencies.

LAKE ELSINORE ---- Pet owners who live in unincorporated county areas in Southwest County no longer can obtain dog licenses from the animal shelter in Lake Elsinore, county officials have announced.

An Imperial Beach eye doctor is fighting for her life after she was brutally beaten in front of her home. 7/15/09

California leaders say they are on the brink of a budget agreement. 7/15/09

A junior lifeguard program in Huntington Beach was cancelled after an 11-year-old girl was killed during a training exercise. 7/15/09

The state budget crisis could be putting your home in jeopardy. Fire districts across the state say they may not respond to calls for help for fires out of their area. 7/15/09

Lawmakers announce there will not be a budget deal tonight. 7/15/09

ExxonMobil Corp. and a local company have announced a $600 million partnership to develop fuel from algae. Sponsored Topics: ExxonMobil - Algae - Biofuel - Environment - Business

UC Regents ttoday approved a plan that would institute employee furloughs along with other cuts and fee hikes, setting up a full board vote on the proposal Thursday. Sponsored Topics: San Francisco - California - United States - Regents of the University of California - University of California

A new report by Rolling Stone casts a shadow on California gubernatorial hopeful Meg Whitman's past. Sponsored Topics: Meg Whitman - California - Rolling Stone - EBay - United States

Watch what happens when drivers are put to the test -- texting while behind the wheel. Sponsored Topics: Text messaging - Test cricket - Cricket - ashes - Business

That "Kensington" sign, which hung over Adams Avenue for more than 50 years, was taken down eight months ago. How to replace it, and with what, has stirred up the normally calm community. Sponsored Topics: Kensington - Netbook - London - KensingtonSlimbladeTrackball - United States

San Diego Police late Wednesday were investigating an officer-involved shooting at a home in Mira Mesa.

The Marine Corps has charged a reserve major at Camp Pendleton with mishandling classified documents between 2004 and 2006.

A small plane crashed between buildings at a suburban Los Angeles airport Wednesday, killing three people on board, authorities said.

Is she victim number 8? Accused sexual predator Thomas Parker took his own life, but detectives continue to look for more potential victims.

Its goal is to deliver electricity to more than 600-thousand homes, but the controversial Sunrise Powerlink could soon hit a major road block. But 10News anchor Hal Clement reports a new snag could bury the 118 mile line.

Beginning Wednesday, a new form will be included in all foreclosure proceedings in the County of San Diego which will list what bank owns the home. So, if an unsightly house is found in your neighborhood, you'll know who to contact to get it cleaned up. It's a big concern for home owners and realtors who have a lot riding on the value of their homes.

Scott Peterson, the man convicted of killing Laci Peterson is moving forward with an appeal of his murder conviction, according to a family blog.

A vacant business at the corner of North Broadway and Mission Avenue is available for lease. This was once Budget Used Car dealership in Escondido, but tough economic times shut it down. Budget isn't alone trying to survive a downturn economy.

San Diego has declared war on gophers infesting an Ocean Beach playing field.

The union representing San Diego County employees has launched a signature-gathering effort for a ballot initiative to limit members of the Board of Supervisors to two four-year terms.

Junior lifeguard programs take place across the southern California coast.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate health committee has passed a $600-billion health-care reform plan. That comes a day after House Democratic leaders put forward their $1.5-trillion proposal.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A key committee of the University of California on Wednesday approved a budget plan that would force most of the system's 180,000 employees to take unpaid leave and pay cuts to offset a steep drop in state funding.

San Diego icon Herb Klein was buried this morning at a local cemetery before a memorial was held for him at the USS Midway museum.

A county employees-union is making a move, to limit the board of supervisors, to two 4-year terms.

“I feel like I’m back in 1950s America,” commented a visiting American. An amiable people, first-world atmosphere and slow pace of life combine to make Montevideo, Uruguay.

“Pandemonium” would be an appropriate word to describe a soccer, or futebol, match at the venerable Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Visiting Palm Springs is like getting two vacations in one weekend. Enjoy a cool dip in the pool at Caliente Tropics Resort, a hip, mid-century-era Hawaiian-style motel complete with poolside cabanas and tikis, for about $80 per night.

I really didn’t think I would be impressed with John Corbett, musician. As an actor, I think he is appealing. He has a funky/smart vibe that I find attractive. [He’s] handsome without being a narcissist.

Haven’t done this for a while. Seems indicated: recommendations for summer beach reading. In the past few months I have happened upon three extraordinarily excellent novels I’d like to share with any dear and constant readers out there. I am hardly the first to note these.

Pacific Scene Homes is seeking more qualified buyers for The Meadows — 33 new, low- and moderate-income houses expected to be completed this September in Poway.

A state-required public hearing on proposed increases to the city’s water rates will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council Chambers.

A top-level reorganization at the Pomerado Newspaper Group has resulted in the naming of a new publisher and the company’s first general manager.

The federal judge handling a civil lawsuit alleging misconduct by Councilwoman Betty Rexford, her husband, and another city official has denied a motion by the city’s attorneys to toss the case out.

Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation is dedicating $15,000 to help the community’s seniors during emergencies.